The 2018 skin cancer index published by German medical analyst group derma.plus has revealed a disturbing trend that New Zealand tops in the world for the highest incidence of skin cancer.
According to the new report almost 2500 new melanoma cases are diagnosed in New Zealand every year. Our trans-Tasman neighbour Australia closely follows at the second position.
The consumer advocacy group Consumer NZ is calling to ban sunbeds and make sunscreen standards mandatory.
This is after an expert had earlier told Newshub on Monday, July 30, that New Zealand's high skin cancer rate won't change any time soon unless Kiwis change their attitude towards skin protection.
“It’s recommended slopping on the sunscreen is one way to protect ourselves from sunburn. Despite this, New Zealand classifies sunscreens as cosmetics, and this is clearly not protecting consumers against the sun’s harmful rays,” a press release from Consumer NZ said.
Consumer NZ chief executive Sue Chetwin said last year it tested 20 sunscreens against the Australia/New Zealand standard and only nine met their SPF label claim and the requirements for broad-spectrum protection.
“Our test found some natural sunscreens only provided low protection. One didn’t meet high protection or broad spectrum claims and two companies – including one big brand - provided test certificates for similar, but not identical sunscreens,” Ms Chetwin said.
Sunscreens can be sold in New Zealand without being tested because the sunscreen standard is voluntary here.
Using a sunbed also increases your risk of getting skin cancer. According to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, using one before age 30 increases the risk of melanoma by 75 per cent.
Like sunscreens, compliance with the sunbed standard is voluntary.
“Existing regulation isn’t providing sufficient consumer protection, and it’s time the government made the sunscreen standard mandatory and banned sunbeds. These measures are already in place in Australia, and with our higher skin cancer rates, it’s not good enough our regulations are lagging behind,” the press release further asserts.